Waverley Library Galleries

Current Exhibitions

to me there’s no other choice - Raoul Wallenberg

Waverley Library Galleries2 March – 10 April

Monday - Friday 9.30am - 9pmSaturday - 9.30am - 3pmSunday - 1 - 5pm

This insightful touring exhibition looks at the work and life of 'Raoul Wallenberg'. Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat, assisting tens of thousands of people to flee Budapest during the Second World War. It is an exhibition about his deed and heroism, but also moral courage, tolerance and personal responsibility.

An insightful film presented in conjunction with the touring exhibition 'Raoul Wallenberg - to me there's no other choice'.

Raoul Wallenberg, aged 32, arrived in Budapest in July, 1944, on a life and death mission. His approach was unorthodox and his methods unconventional. In six short months he made possible the largest and most successful rescue of Jews during World War II. Raoul Wallenberg was taken prisoner by the Russians on January 17th, 1945. He was never released.

The film deals exclusively with Raoul Wallenberg's final two or three weeks in Budapest (Christmas 1944 - January 1945). There are two central events: Raoul's attempts to liberate 20 or so people captured on a truck, and his efforts to save 65,000 others who are confined to the ghetto.

Raoul Wallenberg, was born in 1912, member of a famous Swedish banking family, educated as a businessman and later worked as an architect in the USA. He returned to Sweden in 1939 and ran an import-export business in luxury foods. During the war he was able to move freely in Germany, France and Hungary. But it was obvious that he had not achieved what he wished to with his life.

The Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg is a reminder that we constantly need to fight racism and stand up for human dignity. Welcome to this discussion about what Raoul Wallenberg's legacy means today. The panelists are all prominent members of the Australian community, using their voices and platforms to influence human rights. What drives them? What challenges do they see? How do you find the courage to do the right thing even if it involves personal risks?

Join us for a drink and snack before the talk begins and view the exhibition “Raoul Wallenberg – to me there’s no other choice”. Please stay for the mingle afterwards and continue the discussions!

We proudly present the following panelists:

Craig Foster. Former Socceroo, SBS Broadcast Presenter, Member Multi-Cultural Council of Australia, Amnesty International Ambassador

Renata Kaldor AO (Australian Order - recognizing outstanding members of the community). Philanthropist Mrs Kaldor is a businesswoman and co-founder of The Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law (UNSW) and fled Eastern Europe in the aftermath of Second World War.

Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis. Prof Munjed Al Muderis is one of Australia’s leading orthopaedic surgeons. As a young doctor, he fled Iraq because he refused to obey orders under Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Director, producer and writer Mark Grentell. Mark Grentell's recent film The Merger is a story of a humble rural footy club battling xenophobia. The film was the centrepiece Gala at MIFF 2018 and is now shown at film festivals around the world.

Coming Soon

It’s 100 years since May Gibbs’ adorable characters found their way into the homes and hearts of Australians, and Waverley Library is celebrating with a free travelling display featuring May Gibbs’ iconic artwork.

Diving in the imaginary ocean of Underwater an exhibition by Fernanda Infanti comprising works from 2013 to the present day. Take a deep breath and dive into this playful ocean that inhabits the artists mind.

This exhibition showcases the winning and shortlisted entries in the 2019 Design and Heritage Awards which demonstrate excellence in heritage and design and acknowledges those designers, builders and owners who have contributed to Waverley’s heritage and built environment.

Waverley residents are encouraged to challenge their views on older people by visiting the 2018 Art of Ageing Exhibition at the Waverley Library Galleries. A learner driver, gymnast and ukulele player are among the extraordinary older people who feature in the 2018 exhibition, which celebrates the lives of older people living in regional NSW.

Christopher Armstrong’s current body of work plays with notions of painting and drawing using light and colour. However he does so using contemporary photography. Using intentional Camera Movement, the artist explores what it means to create photographic digital art and where the boundaries lie between photography and painting.

Join local artist Mel Heyton for an exhibition of recent works celebrating women through oil paintings and 3D art works.In the words of Heyton “Female elements surround me and are primary in my paintings. I have a passion for the female form, female artists, authors, for women in history whom I admire and for male artists whose works have a female perspective.”

Waverley Library launched its collage making art classes in 2018 as a fun, creative, sustainable program run fortnightly by library staff. Using discarded magazines and books, participants developed skills to create modern collage designs while engaging with fellow community members in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Look Around You.Do you recognize your neighbourhood, your local streets, and the natural spaces of your locality? We are here to reveal them to you with fresh eyes, artist’s eyes, and reinforce to all the pleasure of living or visiting such a beautiful area! Look around you and enjoy!